The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1887-01-14
CONGRESSIONAL.
Senate.

JAN. BIN the Senate Mr. Mcpherson
offered resolution calling on the Secre.
.tary Of the Treasury for n statement OF the
Indebtedness of the Pacific railroad COM
panies to the government Jan. l, 1887, with
details OF all payments made Oh account of
the same; also as to the sums due or to be-
come due (principal and interest) under
| existing laws severally, and what differ
ence would result to the treasury il the
| pending funding bill should become q law.
| Mr. HOar moved to amend the resolution
by adding to 1t these words: "And a staie-
ment OF all existing questions In regard to
| amount or such debts In dispute between
said companies and the government" Mr..
Mcpherson argued against the proposed
amendment rs tending toward delay, and
suggested that II Mr.. HOar would promise
NOT TO bring up the bill at the present ses-
sion he would withdraw his resolution.
Mr.. HOar expressed his great surprise at
| the proposition, but offered to agree not To
call up the bill until the information asked
| was obtained.
Senator Plumb introduced a bill to fix the
amount of United States bonds to be re-
| Qured of National banks.
| JAN. 6.-Tho Senate to-day resumed con-
slderation OF the interstate commerce bill,
| Mr.. Plat having the floor. He maintained
| that rate OF carrying freight which only
| paid operating expenses and fixed charges
| was as much an unreasonable rate as q rate
| that was too high and that would pay too
large dividend on capital. The law of
competition, although 1t might be just as to
other business, was Knapp icable to the bust
ness of railroads. How did the presidents
| and managers or Improbable railroads at
| tempt now to make money? Not by the
business of their roads, but by stock-job-
bing
MI. Morgan opposed the bill because he
thought any measure which forced the rail-
| road companies to raise their charges or
| freights for long hauls would be inimical
to the best interests of his state, because
both the market for purchase and the
| market of sale of his constituents were at
| n great distance.
Mr.. CullOm gave notice that he would
ask the Senate on Tuesday or Wednesday
next to remain In session until the bill was
| disposed of.
Lin executive session the Senate passed
| bills granting pensions of 5000 per annum
| to the widows OF Generals John A. Logan
and Frank T.. Blair, and to carry into effect
the treaty with China for the suppression
Mr.. McPherson's resolution calling OH the
Secretary of the Treasury for q statement
| Of the indebtedness of the Pacific roads to
| the gov eminent and the probable effect of
the funding bill. {.
JAN. TN the Senate to-day several
petitions were presented in favor Of the ex-
| detrimental agricultural stations bill. Also
q remonstrance signed by many business
men of Dayton, o., against and petitions
| from the Business Mems club of kenOSha,
| Wis, and from The Wisconsin State grange
in favor Of the interstate commerce bill.
Mr.. Call offered resolution declaring
that certain lands granted for railroad pur-
poses I'm Florida shall be forfeited, and III
structing the Attorney General to bring
| suit against all corporations attempting To
| sell or advertise public lands embraced in
railroad grants where bill for forfeiture are
pending before Congress. lie asked to
have 1t laid on the table, and said lie would
call it up hereafter.
The Senate then proceeded to business on
| the calendar, ana passed the following bills:
lie settle and adjust the claims of any
state for expenses incurred by 1t In defense
of the United States.
Mr.. Henderson, from the committee on
military affairs, reported back the House
cavalry and light artillery at Fort Riley,
Kansas, and for the completion and con-
structiOn of quarters for the army at GER
tain posts. The bill was amended by APP
prOpriating $4,000 for Fort ID. A. Russell
and S55,COO for. Fort Robinson, Nebraska,
MIR. Beck inquired of Mr.. Evarts rs to the
bill to prevent members of Congress acting
rs attorneys for subsidized railroads, and
suggested that 1t be taken up after the in
tetState commerce bill.
Mr.. Evarts said that that would suit him.
After an executive session the Senate adj
journed until Monday.
JAN. 10.-TO-day was the first when any
interest has been manifested IN the debate
OH the Interstate commerce bill. Senator
Culom, as chairman or the conferences COM
mittee, stated his construction OF the pro-
visions of the bill before proceeding with
| the arguments. The Senator followed MIR.
Beck, and was frequently Interrupted by
| Messrs llOar, Aldrlch, and George. The
Senators took exception to his construction
| of the long and short haul clause. 1t was
on this question that the most interest was
| shown.
Mr.. Culon confined his remarks prn-
| cpalIy to the fourth section as to the long
| and short haul. lie said:
This section simply undertakes to lay
down In specific terms rule or principle
which, as 1 have always contended is al
| ready in effect contained In other pro-
visions of the bill. The first requirement
| of the bill on the subject of rates Is found
In the first section, and is that all rates
shall be reasonable and just" This Is In
| effect declaration that under similar Cir
cumstances and conditions q greater sum
| shall not be charged for shorter than for
longer distance, because under such cir
cumstances 1t would not be reasonable
| and JUST to make such q charge. The
| NEXT requirement of the bill that affects the
| question is found in the first part of the
| third section, which f0rbids giving an UNI
| due unreasonable preference or advant-
| age to any particular locality. This Is
| likewise n declaraUbn that q greater sum
| shall not be charged for q shorter than for
| longer haul under similar circumstances
| and conditions, because suclI charge
would be the making or giving of an "un-
| due or unreasonable preference or advant-
| age" to lone particular locality" or would
subject some other particular locality" to
an "undue or unreasonable prejudice or
| disadvantage"
Nearly all the Senators were present and
| paid strict attention TO the arguments.
| Senator Evarts was particularly interested
and frequently coached Hoar aud Aldrich.
| Senator SpoOncr now and then put In
word uphoiding Cullom. Senator Stanford
| followed Cullom. His speech consisted
| mainly of reiterati0ns of ancient pleas for
selves thought advisable
JAN. 1I.-ln the Senate, on motion of
| MIR. Henderson, the House bill for the re-
| lief of settlers aud purchasers OF lands OH